Atomic absorption spectroscopic investigation of the mineral fraction of pectins obtained from pumpkin and sugar beet

Data on the mineral composition of plant cell wall carboxypolysaccharides (pectins), obtained from non-traditional vegetable sources (pumpkin and sugar beet) using a biotechnological process of enzymatic extraction (biopectin) and the traditional method of acid treatment, are presented. The results have been obtained by flame (FAAS) or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) and include trace analyses of the heavy metal content. It is shown that biopectin has an unusually high total mineral content, due mainly to markedly increased contents of Ca and Mg. The content of a series of alkaline, alkaline earth, and heavy metals in the pectins is compared considering the effect of the extraction method.